McDermott, who will speak to the media at 1.15pm this afternoon, arrived at the club's Thorp Arch base this morning.

On Friday it appeared he had been fired by prospective new owner Massimo Cellino, but current owners Gulf Finance House (GFH) Capital were forced to release a statement the following day to insist he remained in situ.

McDermott has been given certain assurances by GFH but plenty more questions remain unanswered as the owners seek to sell a controlling stake in the club to controversial Italian businessman Cellino, who owns Serie A club Cagliari.

Cellino, 57, has owned Cagliari for 20 years and has two previous convictions for fraud and, crucially, has yet to have his Leeds takeover approved by the Football League.

BACKING: Leeds fans have been showing support for Brian Mcdermott [PA]

There are doubts that Cellino, who has a further charge of alleged embezzlement - which he denies - hanging over him, will pass the league's strict 'fit and proper person' test.

Cellino wanted to install friend Gianluca Festa, the former Middlesbrough and Watford defender, as the club's new head coach.

But after GFH Capital's statement Cellino attempted to distance himself from what had happened to McDermott and later revealed he had tried to telephone the former Reading boss in a bid to 'reinstate' him.

In the meantime, McDermott, 52, sought advice from the League Managers Association and after speaking to the club's current managing director David Haigh on Saturday decided not to attend the derby clash with Huddersfield.

McDermott's assistant Nigel Gibbs took charge at Elland Road, where most in a crowd of over 31,000 chanted in support of their manager and made clear their opposition to a Cellino takeover.